Upheld in Wild and Free

Wild and Free

What comes to mind when thinking about wild and free? We celebrate July 4^th annually, the date we commemorate the birth of our nation.

Freedom means so many things to all of us.

 

Wild and Free Horse            

Some time ago I heard a preacher talk about strength and power. He used the example of a horse. He commented that  the horse had once been wild and free, but was now broken to bridle. Not broken as in cowed and dispirited, but rather strength that is restrained.

I thought about that horse. Wild and free. Racing across the scrublands, tail and mane flying. That’s the picture of the American spirit. We see it emblazoned everywhere. The ideal. To be strong, wild, and free.

Wild and Free Waters

I visited Panther Falls, Washington State, last week with my son and grandson. We hiked down, and then up a steep,  narrow, rocky path to view the falls from the base where the waters cascaded from cliffs and all the channels came together to form a wild and free waterway.

Not big enough to be a river, but way too wild to call a stream. It roared.

It was strong, wild and free.

Wild and Free Reflections

I think we forget that wild and free can bring danger. Unless it is harnessed.

I wonder where that horse is racing to? Wild, free and—alone on an open prairie. Sooner or later, he could break a leg, or fly into quicksand and his freedom will end.

Is that where the wild and free spirit takes us?

Where does wild water go?

Water often means life. But life can be drowned and dragged away in the debris of a rushing torrent.

Wild and Free God

Our God is extravagant toward us. Like a gracious Father, He has given us freedom to run, freedom to shout. Freedom to indulge in whatever we want.

Yet all things lead to consequences.

Perhaps the horse, broken to the bridle, is worth another look. When the strength of the horse is harnessed, he does service to his master. He has purpose. He has love. He has companionship. And every need is cared for.

When water is harnessed, a great amount of good is provided. Lights, heat, energy, and irrigation to grow food.

It would seem that true freedom comes through a yoke made to fit by the wild God who knows all things, loves us through it all and uses us for good.

He wildly and extravagantly harnessed His own power to provide for our eternity through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.

That’s forever.

That’s true freedom.

“Therefore, if the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36 NKJV).